Labor has slammed the NSW Liberal Government’s decision to cut workers’ wages for a second time, after Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced today that he would cut the public sector wage cap from 2.5% to 1.5%.
The Treasurer refused to consult with workers and their unions and instead announced a wage cut for workers across NSW on Melbourne Cup Day and on the eve of the US presidential election.
Instead, 400,000 workers across NSW woke up tomedia reports that the NSW Government plans to cut their wages in the midst of the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: “This morning 400,000 workers in every city, region and town in NSW have woken up to this slap in the face from the Treasurer.
“This cut to workers’ wages is an act of economic vandalism and a betrayal of those who protected us during the bushfires and the pandemic.
“Not only is this money that teachers, nurses and cleaners won’t have in their pockets, its money that small businesses and communities across our state won’t have to survive” Ms McKay said.
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Adam Searle said: “It is clear this has been Dominic Perrottet’s plan all along and he has snuck it out on Melbourne Cup Day and on the eve of the US presidential election.
“This is an insult to every single worker who kept our society going during the pandemic. The Treasurer is trying to ram through another wage cut for workers across our state which will cause even more damage to businesses and communities all across our state.”
Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord said: “The Treasurer is picking the pockets of workers to pay for his economic mismanagement.
“Dominic Perrottet is responsible for $13.5 billion in Budget blow-outs and a secret $4 billion bail-out out of his scandal-ridden iCare and now he wants workers to pay for it.”
Month: November 2020
Labor demands Government abandon plans to close schools at Murwillumbah
Labor is demanding the NSW Government abandon its plan to close four schools at Murwillumbah, forcing them into one location, a decision that’s angered the Far North Coast community.
The NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay today visited Murwillumbah with Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and Richmond MP Justine Elliot. They met concerned staff and parents who said they weren’t consulted.
Under the Government’s plan, Murwillumbah Public School, Murwillumbah East Public School and Wollumbin High School will be forced to close and move into a single campus at Murwillumbah High School.
Department of Education documents reveal the amalgamation of the four schools in 2024 will change the staffing allocation and potentially displace dozens of teaching and support staff.
The closure of Murwillumbah East Public School also means the Government is dumping its election promise to upgrade the site.
Ms McKay said the Government is robbing future generations of quality public education by forcing four schools into one American-style mega-school.
“Labor wants to build schools and create jobs but the Government wants to close them and slash staff. This decision is a betrayal to this community and must be reversed,” Ms McKay said.
“I am here today to let the Murwillumbah community know that Labor is with you, we will fight this.”
Ms Saffin said: “The Murwillumbah community has been blindsided by a cruel cost-cutting decision. Building one mega school will impact on the quality of education, increase travel times and reduce green space. There is also a big question about what it will mean for local jobs.
“The Government must show some respect and halt the project until local parents and teachers are properly engaged. I am also seeking a guarantee that all current staff will be retained.”
Ms Elliot said: “These secret school closures are a shameful act by the Premier Gladys Berejiklian– she is selling out our children and selling out our community.
“North Coast Nationals MPs Geoff Provest and Ben Franklin have been plotting for months to forcibly close four local schools, cram students into one location and sell the other school sites. Our community wants the Government to scrap this proposal.”
The Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car added: “This plan was deliberately hatched in secret with absolutely no community consultation. The Government is breaking an election commitment and closing down beloved local schools against the community’s wishes.”
Labor calls for Royal Commission into mental health and suicide in NSW
NSW Labor is calling for the Government to back a Royal Commission into mental health and suicide in the upcoming State Budget.
“In the past 12 months, the community has faced enormous mental health challenges,” said the NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay.
“I’m calling for a Royal Commission so we can hear from people with mental health conditions and ensure everyone gets the help and support they need.”
Ms McKay said a Royal Commission should focus on regional and rural NSW and on young people.
“For 10 years the Government has overseen a mental health system that for a range of reasons isn’t meeting the needs of people in crisis,” Ms McKay said.
- In 2019, nearly 1,000 people died by suicide in NSW
- Around four in 10 mental health patients wait more than four hours for emergency care, with some waiting as long as 24 hours in the emergency department
- In Australia, NSW spends the lowest proportion of its budget on community-managed mental health care
“Mental health is a huge problem and families are going through hell across NSW because they’re not getting the support they need,” Ms McKay said.
“What more can be done from prevention and early intervention right through to the emergency response and acute care? Is there adequate funding and co-ordination between services?”
The Shadow Minister for Mental Health Tara Moriarty said the problem touches every community.
“We must urgently ensure mental health services are accessible for young people and for everyone in regional and rural NSW.”
“We’ll work with service providers and people who’ve experienced mental illness to determine exactly what issues need to be looked at.
“These people deserve a voice and we can learn from them,” Ms Moriarty said.
Ms McKay added this is not about party politics or assigning blame.
“If the Government launches a Royal Commission into mental health it will have bipartisan support. I’ll stand with the Premier to save lives,” Ms McKay said.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from mental health issues, reach out and get support available to you:
- Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Mensline – 1300 789 978
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
New report uncovers growing healthcare crisis in Western Sydney
NSW Labor is demanding the Government immediately address the systemic healthcare crisis in Western Sydney, after a new report revealed patients are receiving a lower level of care than the rest of the city.
The annual Admitted Patient survey from the Bureau of Health Information shows patients in Western Sydney continue to be let down by the Government:
- Bankstown, Liverpool, Nepean, Westmead and Fairfield hospitals are all rated significantly less favourably than the rest of NSW
- Barely half of patients in these Western Sydney hospitals reported ‘very good’’ care while in hospital
- Local Health District level analysis shows Northern Sydney and South Eastern Sydney almost 20 percentage points better than the South Western Sydney and Western Sydney LHDs
The Shadow Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said health outcomes should not be determined by postcodes.
“Healthcare workers and doctors in Western Sydney have gone above and beyond to do the best they can with what they have. But the reality is, there’s a severe lack of funding and shocking staff shortages,” Mr Park said.
“It shouldn’t matter where you live in Sydney or NSW, everyone should receive the same level of healthcare and be able to get the medical attention they need in a timely fashion. This is about equality, fairness and a fundamental right to healthcare.”
The Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Greg Warren, said the healthcare crisis in Western Sydney has been years in the making.
“The growing population in Western Sydney is putting immense pressure on local health services yet funding and resourcing have failed to keep pace and that’s putting lives at risk,” Mr Warren said.
“Once again, Western Sydney is being left behind. Communities across Western Sydney have consistently been short-changed by the Government. Western Sydney simply wants a fair go.”
NSW Premier referred to ICAC
The NSW Upper House has taken the serious step of referring the sitting Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The motion was carried 22 votes to 15.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Adam Searle said the Premier has questions to answer about her integrity and conduct as a public official.
“Labor takes this referral of the Premier to ICAC from the NSW Upper House – our Parliament’s house of review – with the utmost seriousness,” Mr Searle said.
“The office of the Premier is the highest office in NSW and the Premier must be beyond reproach.
“It’s time to shine a light on the questionable conduct that’s been taking place in the corridors of power under the Berejiklian Government.”
The NSW Upper House has referred the following to ICAC for investigation:
- The repeated failure of the Premier to report any aspect of former Liberal Wagga Wagga MP, Mr Daryl Maguire’s conduct known to her during her “close personal relationship” with him on or at any time after 13 July 2018 (when Mr Maguire gave evidence before the ICAC in relation to Operation Dasha) up until 12 October 2020, the day on which the Premier gave evidence in public to the ICAC in Operation Keppel in breach of her legal duty under section 11 of the ICAC Act
- Whether the Premier’s “close personal relationship” with Mr Maguire was in fact “an intimate personal relationship” for the purposes of applying the NSW Ministerial Code of Conduct thereby giving rise to serious conflicts of interest prohibited by the NSW Ministerial Code of Conduct
- Whether the Premier’s “close personal relationship” with Mr Maguire otherwise gave rise to serious conflicts of interest prohibited by the NSW Ministerial Code of Conduct
- The Premier’s denial that she knew Mr Iwan Sunito, Crown Group Chairman and Group CEO, a major property developer, despite photographic and other evidence to the contrary
- The transfer of the Greater Sydney Commission from the responsibility of the Minister for Planning to the responsibility of the Premier
- The role of the Premier in the approval of the Stronger Communities Fund Tied Grants
- The role of the Premier in the decision to destroy the physical working advice notes which she had written on containing the recommendation and reasons for $141.8 million of the grants
- The role of the Premier in the decision to attempt to destroy by deleting the Word version of the working advice notes
The motion included additional amendments, including issues to do with Mr Maguire’s disclosures while a parliamentary secretary, matters arising from the Premier’s attendance at a fundraiser in Taree in 2018 and the allocation of money from the Premier’s Discretionary Fund to the Wagga Wagga electorate while Darryl Maguire was an MP, in circumstances where she did not disclose her relationship with Mr Maguire.
Mr Searle said: “There are too many unanswered questions that only the ICAC can answer. The Premier has tried to hide. But the people of NSW deserve better. It’s time for the truth to come out.”
The motion to refer the Premier to the ICAC will now be considered in the Legislative Assembly.
RESEARCH SHOWS WHY LABOR’S CHILD CARE PLAN IS NEEDED
Research out today by the Chifley Research Centre provides further evidence of why Labor’s cheaper child care plan is urgently needed for families, educators and the sector.
The report states that early childhood education and care (ECEC) should be seen as a key part of Australia’s social and economic infrastructure.
It notes Australian families contribute 37 per cent of ECEC costs, compared to the OECD average of 18 per cent.
The report states that improving affordability so more children are participating and workforce participation is boosted will generate economic and social benefits.
The analysis finds there are significant gaps in the data and transparency, and makes recommendations to improve our understanding of the sector.
In addition the report stresses the importance of quality in early learning, which has always been a central pillar of Labor’s approach to ECEC.
This report highlights the importance of Labor’s plan to task the ACCC to bring more transparency to the sector and examine the relationship between funding, fees, profits, and educators’ salaries.
Labor’s child care plan will also provide immediate relief to families through our Cheap Child Care for Working Families, which will leave 97 per cent of families using childcare better off.
Labor will also task the Productivity Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the sector, with the aim to implement a universal 90 per cent subsidy for all families.
There are a chorus of calls from experts across the country to invest in our early education and care system.
Labor, families, business leaders, economists and the sector know affordable, high quality child care is vital to ensure children receive an early education, parents can work when they want, and educators are employed.
The Morrison Government are the only ones who don’t get it.
National Cabinet
The National Cabinet met today for the 31st time to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, the Framework for National Reopening by Christmas, helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment and getting the economy moving again.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.
There have been more than 27,600 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 907 people have died. There are now around 80 active cases in Australia. Most notably, National Cabinet noted the significant reduction in community transmission, and that there have been only a small number of cases of community transmission in the last fortnight. More than 9.2 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
Australia has done well on both the health and economic fronts compared to most countries around the world. National Cabinet noted the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in many countries and the comparative strength of Australia’s effort in addressing COVID compared to most other developed economies. Globally there have been over 52 million cases and sadly over 1.2 million deaths. Today there have been more than 500,000 new cases reported.
National Cabinet endorsed the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth, states and territories in rolling out COVID-19 vaccination. National Cabinet welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that Australia had secured access to 134.8 million doses of four leading vaccine candidates.
National Cabinet adopted all recommendations in the National Contact Tracing Review, presented by the Australian Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel. While vaccines are being developed, and treatments for COVID-19 are being improved, an important means to bring about a return to normal economic and community activity is rapid testing, contact tracing, isolation and outbreak management. These measures back up the ongoing need for COVID-safe behaviours such as social distancing and good hygiene.
National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 11 December 2020, when the National Federation Reform Council will also meet, with a focus on mental health.
Framework for National Reopening – A COVID Normal Australia
The Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory agreed to a new ‘Framework for National Reopening Australia by Christmas’ (document attached), subject to local health advice and building on and enhancing the 3-Step Framework for a COVID Safe Australia developed in May 2020.
Western Australia did not agree to the National Framework for Reopening, specifically the domestic border and international arrival proposals.
The Framework provides the Australian community and businesses with a way forward where Australians can live and work in a COVID Normal Australia, recognising that the highly infectious nature of COVID-19 means that it will be present until a COVID-19 vaccine is found.
The Framework underscores the need for continued health vigilance while providing a path to easing the physical and mental burden on Australians.
The Framework establishes an updated Common Operating Picture based on the advice of Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel AO, with strengthened criteria to ensure that health systems are prepared and detailed information is publicly available on COVID-19 conditions.
The Commonwealth and seven states and territories agreed that reopening by Christmas under the Framework sets a pathway for the removal of domestic border restrictions where it is safe to do so, and with free movement of people and freight consistent with National Cabinet’s strategy of suppression with a goal of no community transmission.
Review of state and territory contact tracing and outbreak management systems
National Cabinet endorsed the review led by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel of the contact tracing and outbreak management systems in each state and territory and agreed to adopt all 22 recommendations.
All states and territories were assessed as now having strong contact tracing and outbreak management systems in place. The review provides characteristics of an optimal contact tracing and outbreak management system and recommends that every state and territory regularly stress test their systems.
The review found that patient testing, contact tracing and case management should be fully digital end to end. However while a fully digital system dramatically improves efficiency of contact tracing, it will never replace the need for well-trained contact tracers and expert public health oversight – states and territories should employ a permanent workforce for tracing and outbreak management, with senior public health leadership and should have an additional surge workforce trained and at the ready. Contact tracing must never fall behind. In the event of an outbreak, every effort should be made to go hard and go early.
The review recommended the creation of a digital data exchange so that states and territories can easily access and transfer information about cases and contacts where people have crossed borders. Commonwealth, NSW, Vic and ACT will work to develop a data exchange system.
The review found that states and territories should share new and emerging technologies, such as electronic venue and workplace attendance registration systems, smartphone apps to monitor self-quarantine, new diagnostic tests and wastewater surveillance.
Further details are available at: www.health.gov.au
Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
Australia is well positioned for early access to a breakthrough COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. The Commonwealth Government has secured early access to 134.8 million doses of four leading vaccine candidates worth over $3.2 billion, in addition to up to 25 million vaccines candidates through the global COVAX facility.
Vaccines, should they be deemed safe and effective, are expected to be available by March 2021.
National Cabinet endorsed the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (the Policy). The Policy sets out how the COVID-19 pandemic vaccination program will be rolled out – one of the biggest exercises in health logistics Australia has ever seen. The policy sets out clear lines of responsibility and clear plans for delivering on these responsibilities will be crucial. The Commonwealth will purchase all vaccines, leading logistics and distribution and will manage significant centralised national oversight and coordination in order to manage continuing complexities and critical unknowns, as well as to track the movement of doses and uptake of vaccination and oversee future surveillance. Immunisation administration will be managed jointly between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories.
The key principles and assumptions for the vaccination program include:
- Free of charge for all Australian citizens, permanent residents, and most visa-holders
- Not mandatory, but strongly encouraged
- To be rolled out on the basis of identified priority populations, linked to delivery schedules, with scope for redirections to outbreak response
- Centralised Commonwealth oversight, with defined responsibilities for the Australian and State and Territory governments
The initial priority groups for COVID-19 immunisation identified by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) are:
- People who have an increased risk, relative to others, of becoming very sick or dying from COVID-19 should they contract it.
- People who are at increased risk of exposure and hence being infected with and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to others at risk of severe disease or are in a setting with high transmission potential.
- People working in services critical to the functioning of our society, including select essential services staff and people working in supply and distribution of essential goods and services.
Further details are available at: www.health.gov.au
Australians returning home
National Cabinet agreed to continue to prioritise the return of Australians.
Since the beginning of the pandemic over 414,000 Australians have returned to Australia on commercial flights, and 69 flights facilitated by the Department fo Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Since 18 September 2020, around 10,900 Australians registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have returned to Australia. However, since 18 September 2020 the list of registered Australians has grown from 26,200 to 35,637. Between now and Christmas, we expect to bring an additional 27,000 Australians home. Further places will become available once Melbourne Airport reopens to international arrivals.
National Cabinet agreed international air passenger caps have played an important role in ensuring jurisdictions’ quarantine systems can protect Australians at home. The Commonwealth will be extending the international air passenger caps till 31 January 2020 for Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with further increases to be made if and when additional quarantine places become available.
National Cabinet welcomed progress on plans by the Victorian Premier to reopen Melbourne to international travellers.
The Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government are finalising arrangements to increase capacity at the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility. Both the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmanian Governments have agreed to facilitate the return of 360 and 450 Australians respectively before Christmas.
Leaders agreed that, wherever possible, existing surge capacity for quarantine will remain in place for vulnerable Australians. The Queensland Government agreed to continue to surge above their weekly 1,000 passenger cap, and will now allow an additional 300 vulnerable Australians per week.
National Cabinet agreed a range of measures to support efforts to maximise the use of available seats to further boost the number of Australians who can return before Christmas. Going forward, caps and other arrangements will be implemented on a weekly basis and, in consultation with the relevant jurisdiction, an overallocation by up to 10 per cent above caps will be allowed.
The Commonwealth will continue to work with states and territories to facilitate the arrival of additional facilitated flights, carrying registered Australians and prioritising vulnerable Australians.
| Jurisdiction | Arrangements |
| Australian Capital Territory | 360 passengers over two flights before Christmas |
| New South Wales | a weekly cap of 3,000 passengers into Sydney |
| Northern Territory | finalising arrangements with the Commonwealth to increase capacity at Howard Springs Quarantine Facility from the current 500 per fortnight |
| South Australia | a weekly cap of 600 passengers into Adelaide |
| Queensland | a weekly cap of 1,000 passengers into Brisbane, and increased surge efforts to 300 vulnerable Australians per week |
| Tasmania | 450 Australians over three flights before Christmas |
| Western Australia | a weekly cap of 1,025 passengers into Perth |
International Students
The National Cabinet agreed to continue prioritising returning Australians. Quarantine space must be prioritised to Australians, including vulnerable Australians, seeking to return home. While we look forward to welcoming international students back and will continue planning for their return, we cannot progress the broader entry of international students at this time.
Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements
The National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth Government’s proposed response to the Royal Commissioner into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and agreed to work collaboratively on the recommendations that require joint government action.
The National Cabinet further agreed that a National Emergency Management Ministers Meeting will be initially responsible for driving and coordinating implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations, including design of ongoing governance mechanisms. This Meeting will work closely with other relevant Ministers who have responsibilities relevant to recommendations of the Royal Commission.
The Commonwealth’s response to the Royal Commission can be found at: https://www.pmc.gov.au/resource-centre/pmc/national-approach-national-disasters
National Cabinet Infrastructure and Transport Reform Committee
The National Cabinet agreed to establish the Infrastructure and Transport National Cabinet Reform Committee (the Committee), which will be chaired by the Commonwealth Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development the Hon Michael McCormack MP.
The National Cabinet tasked the Committee with coordinating efforts to deliver infrastructure investment stimulus between jurisdictions, and presenting opportunities to improve freight transport connectivity across all transport modes by mid-2021. The National Cabinet also tasked the Committee with developing proposals to streamline planning and approval processes at all levels of government to support faster and more efficient delivery of infrastructure projects.
Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Licences
The National Cabinet agreed in principle to establish an Intergovernmental Agreement on Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Licences, with that agreement to be signed by the end of the year following further work by the Council of Federal Financial Relations. To give effect to this, draft legislation to amend the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992 will be released by the end of the year to facilitate automatic mutual recognition commencing by 1 July 2021.
TRANSFORMATIONAL REGIONAL GROWTH FUND BOOSTED TO $2 BILLION
Families and businesses across regional NSW will benefit from additional vital community upgrades and job creating projects with the 2020-21 NSW Budget injecting a further $300 million over two years into the transformational Regional Growth Fund.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this boost to the Regional Growth Fund will include another round of the $100 million Stronger Country Communities Fund which will continue works to reinvigorate rural communities and deliver grassroots project upgrades to every Local Government Area in regional NSW.
Additionally, a new $75 million Resources for Regions round will provide vital infrastructure and support programs for mining towns and communities.
“This is the Regional Growth Fund ‘2.0’, with a further $300 million injected into this popular program which has delivered over 2,100 projects across regional NSW to date, and today I can announce there’s more to come,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The Stronger Country Communities Fund and Resources for Regions Fund are two of the Regional Growth Fund’s flagship programs and the new funding announced in the 2020-21 Budget is great news for rural families, businesses and industry.”
The recharged Regional Growth Fund will also deliver new programs that target economic activation and tourism projects and complement the recently announced $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund to provide businesses in regional NSW with the confidence they need to invest, expand their operations, get new customers through the door and create new jobs.
Mr Barilaro said the now $2 billion Regional Growth Fund was first introduced in 2017 to give people in every corner of regional NSW a fairer share of government investment. Over $1.7 billion has already been committed to more than 2,100 projects, big and small, right across regional NSW.
“The Regional Growth Fund has delivered industrial precincts and intermodals to roads, power, water and the internet, upgraded regional airports, floodlights for footy fields and playgrounds for kids.
“These projects are providing the major infrastructure upgrades that industry needs to thrive, the support that businesses need to expand, the attractions that tourists love to visit and the community improvements that make a big difference to everyday life.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this additional investment is about helping support our regions through the economic recovery following the impacts of drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a tough few years for many regional towns across NSW, so the now $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, together with the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, will provide once-in-a-generation infrastructure that generates opportunities, investment and jobs and makes regional NSW a great place to live, work and thrive.”
The remaining $125 million in funding will be allocated through other regional programs, such as tourism and economic activation initiatives, for the benefit of regional NSW.
For further information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/regionalgrowthfund.
NEW PATHWAY INTO TEACHING FOR PROFESSIONALS
Professionals are being encouraged to make a mid-career jump to teaching through a new pathway under development by the NSW Government.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell announced a $400,000 investment to develop a brand new model focused on attracting the best and brightest from other professions into the teaching profession.
Mr Perrottet said the model would be jointly developed by the NSW Government and Teach for Australia, drawing on their experience in attracting mid-career and high achieving professionals into teaching.
“We know that traditionally it has been difficult for people to make a career switch to teaching due to the cost associated with leaving employment whilst undertaking a Masters of Teaching,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This partnership will look at enabling successful mid-career professionals to make the switch to teaching by lessening the adverse financial impact of taking time out of the workforce to gain a teaching qualification.”
Subject areas and schools with teacher shortages will be targeted – particularly science, maths and TAS (Technology and Applied Sciences), and rural and remote schools.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the bespoke model would be developed from scratch in collaboration with key education stakeholders.
“We know that more teachers are required in priority subject areas as well as our rural and regional schools, and this partnership will enable us to attract more high quality people into the profession,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This new pathway will be aimed at mid-career professionals, not new graduates, and is being rolled out alongside our reforms to ensure the highest standards for teachers in NSW.”
This model is one of a range of initiatives the NSW Government is implementing to bolster the teaching workforce, including targeted scholarships in priority subject areas and the Casual Supplementation Program.
SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER WILDLIFE ARMY
The state’s army of volunteer wildlife rehabilitators, and the vets who assist them, will be better supported to meet the demands of native animal rescue with today’s release of the NSW Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy.
The three year plan to support and improve wildlife rehabilitation in New South Wales has in part been developed to incorporate the findings of the NSW Bushfire Inquiry.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said wildlife rehabilitators rescue about 100,000 animals every year and even more in times of crisis.
“Our army of volunteer wildlife rehabilitators worked tirelessly in last summer’s catastrophic bushfires, rescuing countless wildlife, including our precious koalas,” Mr Kean said.
“Without their commitment, dedication and responsiveness our sick and injured native animals would not have survived.”
The NSW Government has already committed $6.52 million to implement the strategy statewide.
Key elements include:
- consistent standards of operation for the sector
- improved support for local groups and volunteers
- better training for veterinarians to assist native wildlife
- a system of accreditation to replace the current licensing of volunteer wildlife rehabilitation groups.
Additionally, codes of practice for animal care will be enhanced along with training standards for rehabilitators and changes to the policy framework to give people more choice about which group they can join.
“Often working in challenging and confronting circumstances, these volunteers can bear significant personal cost and stress,” Mr Kean said.
“We want volunteers to feel prepared, understood and respected while also equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to perform their crucial role.”
NSW Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy 2020-2023 available HERE